What the vendor needs to provide:

1. Version number of their software
2. If not compatible with the current WaaS General Availability Channel's Feature update version (e.g., Windows 11 22H2), the vendor must provide:
   1. Which future release version will be compatible.
   2. Its timeline for release.

If the vendor states that their software and/or hardware are not compatible with the current WaaS version, you will need to contact EDEM as soon as possible. You will then work with Information Assurance (IA), who will have you complete documentation for a Treatment and Tolerance Plan. For more information, please visit Information Security Risk Management.

 

Sample email for communication with your vendor:

Vendor support person,

Michigan Medicine wishes to inform you that it is required to continually upgrade its fleet of computers per Microsoft's Windows as a service (WaaS) cadence and therefore requires that your software and/or hardware be made compatible with the current Windows General Availability Channel's Feature (e.g., 22H2) update and Quality updates (i.e., monthly security patches).

Per its published lifecycle schedule, Microsoft establishes a predictable cadence for when it will end its maintenance and support for older versions of Windows.  Michigan Medicine must deploy Windows Feature updates in accordance with that cadence to receive support and security patches from Microsoft to maintain its HIPAA compliance. Therefore, Michigan Medicine requires all of its vendors that supply software and/or hardware to maintain compatibility with Microsoft Windows current General Availability Channel's Feature update version and its associated Quality updates. This effort will require coordination between you and Michigan Medicine to update, test, and validate that <insert vendor's name>'s software and/or hardware will be fully functional and compatible with Michigan Medicine's managed Windows 11 computers.

To that end, please provide the following:

1. Your software and/or hardware's current version.
2. Is it compatible with and supported on the current Windows 11 General Availability Channel's Feature update version (e.g., Windows 11 22H2)?
3. If not, then:
   1. Which future release version will be compatible and supported?
   2. What is its timeline for release?

 

Thank you,